National Electrical Safety Month 2017: Decoding the NEC to Prevent Shock and Electrocution

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters have saved thousands of lives since their introduction in to the National Electrical Code in the 1970s. Make sure your home is properly protected against ground faults with the correct installation of GFCIs.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 50% of home electrocutions have been prevented by the introduction of GFCIs.

GFCI protection is required for outlets installed in:

Bathrooms

Garages

Outdoors

Balconies, decks, and porches

Kitchen countertops

Within 6ft of a sink

Laundry areas

Within 6ft of a bathtub or shower

How to test a GFCI:

Push the RESET button

Plug in a nightlight or similar device

The nightlight should be ON

Press the TEST button on the GFCI

The nightlight should turn OFF

Push the RESET button again

The nightlight should turn ON

If the device does not turn on, contact a qualified electrician to inspect the outlet

Want to partner with ESFI on this initiative? Contact info@esfi.org or publish a press release with our template below:

Arlington, VA— The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is educating consumers about the importance of GFCIs in preventing electric shock and electrocutions. Read More

Since the first introductions of GFCIs in homes, there has been an 83% drop in electrocutions and a 95% drop in electrocutions caused by consumer products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates... Read More

Did you know that as of 2017, there have been 15 revisions of The National Electrical Code since 1975, the year the average American home was built? Many people are unaware of the protections provided... Read More